Til There Was You Read online

  Til There Was You

  Elizabeth Doherty

  For my mom, who took me to all my first Broadway shows. I love you.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Prologue

  GreatBrightWay.com: Upcoming Auditions and Open Casting Calls

  * * *

  Seeking union actors for replacements in principal roles in Broadway’s As We Go On. A rock opera; follows a group of friends who reunite five years after graduating high school because of a tragedy that befalls one of their own.

  * * *

  Initial casting breakdown:

  Anna Healy: Female, 18+, all ethnicities, to play mid-20s

  Holly Midway: Female, 18+, all ethnicities, to play mid-20s

  Aaron Nichols: Male, 18+, all ethnicities, to play mid-20s

  * * *

  Audition Information

  July 27, 10-4, Broadway Studios

  * * *

  Please prepare a rock song, bring sheet music; accompanist provided

  Bring headshot, resume, and Equity card

  She didn’t have time for this.

  With her first major Broadway audition in the morning, Cady Cameron should be doing a great number of other things: practicing, resting her voice, counting down the minutes until her inevitable demise.

  Instead, she squeezed through the small aisles between tables at the hole-in-the-wall restaurant Scott insisted she go to.

  “You need to get out, Cady,” he told her. “You’ve been in New York a week and haven’t left the apartment.”

  He didn’t listen to any of her arguments, just staring at her as she detailed jet lag and how she needed to act like a Broadway performer rather than a regional one.

  Instead, the moment she paused for a breath, he smirked. “I know the perfect guy for you.”

  And because she couldn’t say no to her big brother, here she was.

  Cady pressed her purse to her side, avoiding hitting the man who slurped his spaghetti. She tried to walk tall to see above the diners’ heads and scan for whoever Scott sent her to meet.

  What would a setup by her brother look like? Someone ugly, no doubt. Scott wasn’t known for his taste in men. She shouldn’t have agreed to this.

  Her gaze snagged on something familiar. She recognized that man ahead, reading his menu.

  Cady’s heart skittered, and her breath caught. No. Scott wouldn’t do this.

  She imagined herself leaving, but her traitorous feet stuck to the ground. Then a pair of blue-green eyes lifted to meet hers. He stood, flashing her a dimpled smile she was more familiar with than she cared to admit.

  “You must be Cady. I’m Jake.”

  He held out a hand to her as if they’d never met. But of course he didn’t remember her. Why would he?

  Cady chewed on her lip, trying to figure out what to do. Should she tell him they’d met? Should she turn and bolt?

  Oh crap. Something faltered in his expression. The amusement she swooned over as a teenager disappeared from his face. How long had she left him standing there?

  She thrust her hand forward so hard it knocked into his with a smack.

  “Sorry, hi. I’m Cady.”

  “Yeah.” He pumped their hands once before he drew his hand away and used it to rub the back of his neck. “Sit, please.”

  She nodded, and, with a gulp, took the seat across from him at the small table. He picked up his menu, his eyes trailing back and forth. Cady knew she should read her own menu, but her heart was in her throat and she didn't move.

  Worse, she didn’t stop staring at him.

  Her idiot brother had set her up on a date with Jake Longley. She was on a date with her teenage crush.

  “I’ve heard the chicken here is great,” he commented, not glancing up at her.

  Cady jumped to action. “I prefer mac and cheese.” As soon as the words were out, she cringed. It was the first thing her eyes found on the menu. It wasn’t a grown-up meal.

  But to her surprise, he laughed, a deep and throaty laugh she’d never heard. “I’m in my thirties now, and I'd still live off boxed mac and cheese if I could.”

  He lifted his gaze and smiled. One side of his mouth tilted above the other, making the cheek dimple on that side deeper. Her stomach did a somersault.

  Would he see her sweating?

  “So, Cady.” He put down the menu and set his elbows on the table, leaning across it. It was the kind of thing that would make her mother criticize him. But when he was this close, Cady smelled his aftershave. And she found no fault in him. “Scott said you’re an actress?”

  She opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. Had her older brother never mentioned her name to his supposed best friend? Or had Jake forgotten her? She sat up straighter, her shoulder blades pressing down her back.

  Cady debated telling Jake that they’d met before, on the opening night of As We Go On, when Scott had invited his annoying family to his Broadway debut. She’d been an awkward college freshman at that point, unsure about everything except her massive crush on the young man with the rockstar voice onstage.

  “Cady?”

  She blinked. “Hi. Yes. Sorry. Yeah, I’m an actress.” That’s what he’d asked, right? “I just got done with a regional tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and I moved to New York to try for Broadway.”

  His lips curved into a smile over his water glass as he took a sip. Her hand trembled on her own glass. She used to have fantasies about those lips.

  “Broadway’s a wonderful goal. Do you have anything lined up?”

  She paused, unsure how her confession would go over with him. “I, uh… I have my first audition for As We Go On tomorrow morning.”

  Amusement flashed in his eyes and danced over his features. “I know a thing or two about that show.”

  “Duh, you starred in it.”

  Cady didn’t realize she’d said that out loud until he laughed. Her face grew warm.

  “That I did. What was it? Six years ago now? Wow.” He shook his head. “Are you excited?”

  Her chest expanded. She let out all her air in one stream. “Yes. So excited. I was obsessed with the show in college. I used to sing all the songs in my dorm room. If I got this, it would be… incredible to make my Broadway debut. In this show. All about friendship and love. And the score is amazing.

  “It made me realize why acting was what I wanted to do. My parents weren’t into the idea, but on the stage, it’s where I come alive.”

  She was talking too much. She was talking too much to Jake Longley. He was too cool for this.

  Cady looked at Jake again, lightheaded from all the gushing she did. She was glad she stopped herself before she told him how his performance on opening night sent shock waves up her spine.

  And y
et, his cocky grin, the one she’d admired on the CD cover, was still there.

  Butterflies beat against the wall of her stomach. Perhaps tonight would work out. Was she one of those people who would get to date her teenage crush?

  “I agree. It’s a special show. And I get that feeling too, when I’m onstage.” He leaned closer. Cady didn’t take her eyes off his upturned lips. “What part are you going out for? Anna?”

  Her skin tingled. Maybe Scott was right about this. Maybe there was something there between her and Jake Longley.

  “Holly, actually. I love Anna, but Holly fits my voice more. I—”

  “That’s great. Holly’s a good part.” Jake paused, pressed his back to his chair, and glanced back at his menu. “So you just moved to New York?” he asked. “Where are you living?”

  Her face warmed. “In Scott’s guest bedroom.”

  His eyes, now sharp, snapped to her. “What?”

  “Scott didn’t tell you?” She laughed, but it came out brittle. “I’m his little sister. He must have thought you remembered me. From when we came to As We Go On on opening night?”

  He went pale, his jaw slackened. “You had braces…”

  Cady cringed. “I got them late. My parents had to put them off to pay for Scott’s college.”

  Jake sat up and then back again. He ran a hand through his hair. The electricity between them vanished. “Scott didn’t say you were his sister. He told me he had a sister, but he never said… I’m sorry I forgot your name.”

  She waved a hand, trying to wave away her own anxiety as much as his worry. “It’s okay. It’s been a while.”

  “I should go.”

  Cady felt like someone had doused her in cold water. “I—”

  “I've got a meeting tomorrow. With my agent. Just remembered.” He sprang out of his seat like he couldn’t wait to get away from her.

  The restaurant—already too small and full to begin with—closed in around them. Why didn't she see this coming? He wouldn’t remember her. There had been dozens of people backstage after the show.

  “It’s okay. I have an audition tomorrow.” She gripped the edge of the table, hoping he didn’t see her shake. She knew what was happening. Cady had been on enough disaster dates to recognize the signs. In fact, she didn’t think she’d recognize a decent date if she watched it in a movie.

  “Good luck tomorrow.”

  He dashed out of the restaurant, and she forced her eyes not to follow him. The back of her throat stung.

  How had she ever believed—even for a second—someone like Jake Longley might actually be interested in Scott Cameron’s less talented little sister? She shouldn’t have said anything. Better yet, Scott should have told Jake who she was, or at least told Jake her full name, so they might have avoided this mess.

  Jake had run before they even ordered drinks.

  Her breaths were too shallow. The eyes of the other patrons bore into her. This wasn't happening to her. Not again.

  Chapter One

  GreatBrightWay.com: Niamh to Play Broadway Starting October 15

  * * *

  The Sondheim Organization is pleased to announce that the new musical Niamh will officially open on Broadway at the Robbins Theatre on October 15 of this year, following a set of previews starting September 3.

  The show, which stars Tony Award winner Roxanne Evans, already announced a July run in Seattle and has been rumored for a Broadway run since the announcement. Niamh tells the story of Niamh, a princess in a fantasy world with magical powers. When her father is bewitched and outlaws magic, she must run for her life. She meets a cast of colorful characters along the way. It is based on the novel of the same name by Lucy Vector.

  Joining Evans in the cast is Emmy Award winner Annie Marx (The Stars, How To Be Funny) as Sabella, Elijah Powell (Fairytales and Other Silly Things) as Eadric, Jonas Figuerido (Lark’s Song) as Octavius, Cady Cameron (As We Go On) as the Niamh standby…

  ONE YEAR LATER

  The knob on the front door jangled. Jake lifted his head off the couch.

  “Is someone here?” he asked.

  Scott nodded from his spot on the armchair, not bothering to glance up as he flipped through the sheet music. “It would seem so.”

  “No one ever comes here. Except me,” Jake added with a smirk.

  Though Scott still didn’t look up, his lips pursed. “It might be Kyle.”

  Jake sat up straighter. “You gave Kyle a key to your apartment? That’s a big step.” Scott shrugged. “Are you sure you want—”

  The door popped open, but it wasn’t Scott’s boyfriend standing at the door.

  A petite young woman with messy brown hair and big blue-gray eyes walked into the apartment, dragging a large black suitcase behind her. “Thanks for helping me.”

  Scott didn’t look away from the sheet music, not even to greet his little sister. “You got it.”

  Jake bit back a laugh and slumped again.

  Cady’s eyes zeroed in on him. “You’re still here?”

  He ignored the uncomfortable heat climbing the back of his neck, choosing instead to focus on his guitar. He plucked some notes with no tune in mind. “Scott and I are hanging out.”

  “You’re always here,” she snapped. “I thought in the three months I’ve been gone, you’d have gotten a life.”

  “Wow, Cady. I didn’t know you could be angry. You never talk when I’m here.”

  “Maybe I just—” She halted. Jake turned his head, curious about what silenced her.

  Cady fished in her pocket and pulled out her phone. She stared at the screen for a moment, her jaw hardening and her throat bobbing as she did, before putting the phone back with a jab so hard he thought her pocket might give out.

  “I just got off a long flight and the worst subway ride ever. I’m going to take a nap.” She grabbed the suitcase handle and teetered for a second before hobbling toward the small bedroom that was hers. “Thanks for all the help!” she called over her shoulder before slamming the door behind her.

  Jake plucked at a guitar string. “She’s in a mood.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why was she so mad at me?”

  Scott looked up from the music he was reading, narrowing his eyes at Jake over his wire-rimmed glasses. “You’re the one who walked out on your date. She has a right to be mad.”

  Jake bristled at the memory. He’d met Cady the night before her audition for As We Go On. She’d been so excited, and he… “That was a year ago. I don’t get why you set us up in the first place. You’re her older brother. I’m not good at relationships. I was protecting your sister from heartbreak. Shouldn’t you be protective of her too?”

  “Not all brothers are like that,” he shrugged.

  “I never want my little sister to date. Ever.”

  “I set you two up because you and Cady would have brought out something in each other.” Scott rolled his eyes. “Or you would if you weren’t so into sabotaging relationships.”

  “I don’t—”

  “But it didn’t work. Neither of you seem to want to listen to me, even though I know you both best, and I’m right.”

  Scott’s nonchalant air was an act. Jake had known him long enough to see the way the corners of his eyes strained. He hated being wrong. He hated it so much that, if given the chance, he would complain until Jake asked Cady out again, just to make himself right.

  Jake turned his attention to the music pages littered around Scott. “We should do a concert,” he suggested, hoping this would draw Scott’s mind away from relationships, especially relationships involving him and Scott’s little sister. “We can book one of those clubs that takes Broadway performers—maybe that supper club on 54th. It’s been a while, and I have a little more time now that my show’s open.”

  One of Scott’s eyebrows lifted. “Your show’s off-Broadway, so with that schedule, we could book a prime night.”

  Jake shrugged and opened his mouth, but Scott spoke first. “We need
a theme.”

  Ah, the price Jake paid to avoid relationship talk.

  “Welcome home!”

  If anything could cure jet lag, it was a group of friends and her favorite bar.

  Cady smiled, her shoulders easing down from her ears as she walked into the familiar, neon-lit Blue Rubber Band. All the misery of the last few months melted away, at least for now.

  “Hi guys,” she breathed as she approached the little table in the corner they crowded around.

  A pair of giant arms engulfed her, her face pressed to a broad chest. “Cady, Cady, pretty lady. We missed you!”

  Her laugh came out muffled.

  “Don’t suffocate the poor thing.”

  “She looked like she needed a hug.” But Louis pulled away, beaming his big bright smile down at Cady. “We really did miss you.”

  She tried to smile back, but her lips trembled. She’d left them all when she left As We Go On, and even though her agent had found a legal way for her to leave her contract early, she felt bad.

  Another familiar face swam into view. She was glad she could focus on that instead of how a part of her wanted to cry. “You’re still breathing, right? He didn’t kill you?”

  “No. I’m used to his bear hugs by now.” Cady chuckled at the proud expression on Louis’s face.

  Eddie’s brown eyes sparkled as he stepped forward and squeezed her shoulders. “You’re right. He’s single-handedly helped us all develop super-lungs.”